1. Early life and background
David Young's early life laid the foundation for his athletic and academic pursuits, culminating in his professional basketball career.
1.1. Birth and childhood
David Young was born on August 18, 1981, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, United States. He spent his childhood in New Castle, a city located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
1.2. Education
Young's educational journey included both high school and university studies. He graduated from New Castle High School in his hometown of New Castle, Pennsylvania. Following high school, he continued his academic and athletic career at Xavier University. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Xavier University. Young also attended North Carolina Central University.
2. Professional career
David Young's professional basketball career began with the NBA draft and continued across various international leagues, including significant stints in Europe, Asia, and Puerto Rico.
2.1. NBA Draft and D-League
Young entered the professional basketball scene in the 2004 NBA draft, where he was selected as the 41st overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics. Although he signed a contract with the SuperSonics, he was waived approximately one month later, before he had the opportunity to play in any official NBA games. Following his time with the SuperSonics, Young played in the NBA D-League (now known as the NBA G League). During his tenure in the D-League, he notably finished the season ranked second in scoring, averaging 18.5 points per game. One of the teams he played for in the D-League was the Fayetteville Patriots.
2.2. European leagues
Young's professional career saw him play for several teams in Europe, starting in Italy. From 2005 to 2006, he played for Air Avellino. He then moved to Banco di Sardegna Sassari for the 2006-2007 season, competing in Italy's Serie A2 league.
In the 2007-2008 season, Young joined Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez in France. However, midway through that season, he transferred to Rethymno BC in Greece. He continued to play in the Greek League, notably joining Trikala 2000 for the 2009-2010 season.
2.3. Asian and other international leagues
Beyond Europe, David Young also competed in leagues across Asia and other international regions. After 2005, he had a stint playing in Puerto Rico. In 2008, he joined the Aisin SeaHorses, a professional basketball team based in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. In March 2011, Young signed with the San Miguel Beermen, a team in the Philippine Basketball Association.
3. Personal life
David Young's personal life includes his family relationships. He is a father and has one daughter. Additionally, he is the brother-in-law of Leon Washington, a former professional American football player who played in the NFL, notably for the Seattle Seahawks.
4. Career summary and evaluation
David Young's professional basketball career spanned over a decade, marked by his contributions as a versatile forward across multiple international leagues. Standing at 78 in (198 cm) tall and weighing 198 lb (90 kg), Young was known for his scoring ability, particularly highlighted by his performance in the NBA D-League where he was a leading scorer. Throughout his career, he wore jersey number 1 on several teams. His journey, from being drafted by an NBA team to playing in top-tier leagues in Italy, Greece, France, Japan, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico, underscores his adaptability and sustained presence in professional basketball. While he did not play in the NBA, his extensive international experience demonstrates a successful career as a professional basketball player.